Match report: England 0-1 Brazil
Gareth Southgate’s reaction
There were lots of very good performances. It was a top-level game, we controlled long parts of it and had as many attempts on goal as them. In the end it’s that ruthless moment that decides the game. But there were some important individual performances for us. Anthony [Gordon] was excellent, both sides of his game.
Ben Chilwell was very good I thought. He was aggressive in his defending, he gave us width. We have to manage him carefully because he’s been out for a while.
It’s a classic game against a South American team. In a [competitive game] there might have been more cards given. We knew to expect that and we played from the back really well. I’m not unhappy with a lot about the performance.
[Kyle Walker] felt something. We don’t know yet how serious it is. He’s a player who hasn’t been injured very often so he’s not quite sure what it is. We’ll assess it over the next few days.
That wasn’t a great night for England, particularly in attack. Anthony Gordon had a decent debut, but Ollie Watkins faded, Phil Foden was quiet and Jude Bellingham was shackled by fair means or foul. England were also vulnerable on the break. While there’s nothing to worry about in the grand scheme, Gareth Southgate would have hoped for a bit more.
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Full time: England 0-1 Brazil
Peep peep! A late goal from the substitute Endrick gives Brazil their first victory at Wembley since 1995. He lies face down on the Wembley turf, trying to process what he’s just achieved. At 17 years 246 days, he is apparently the youngest goalscorer in Wembley history.
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90+5 min Endrick almost makes it 2-0 with the last kick of the game. Brazil broke three-on-one from an England corner, with Andreas putting Endrick clear. His shot was saved with his legs by Pickford.
90+3 min Rice’s excellent first-time cross is just taken off the head of Rashford by Danilo, who celebrates as if he’s scored a goal himself.
90+2 min England continue to press, though there’s no conviction at all really.
90 min Rashford dances into the area but tries to beat one man too many and is challenged by Pablo Maia. There will be four minutes of added time.
89 min: Double substitution for Brazil Gleison Bremer, who is a beast of a man, and Pablo Maia come on for Wendell and Vinicius Jr.
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88 min It wasn’t Gomez playing Vinicius Jr onside for the goal. It might have been Rice but it’s hard to be sure.
87 min Rashford finds the underlapping Gomez, whose cross is cut out at the near post. England aren’t attacking with much conviction.
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86 min The flip side is that this would be a fantastic start as Brazil manager for Dorival Junior, especially as he has given debuts to six or seven players tonight.
85 min It was a really good ball from Andreas that ultimately led to Endrick’s goal. Vinicius Jr was being played onside by somebody on the England left, possibly Gomez.
84 min Defeat would be a blow to England, their first since the World Cup quarter-final, but both teams are without a number of key players so there’s no reason to … oh I can’t be bothered, we all know what the reaction will be. I can feel the hashtags already.
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Dunk’s header only went as far as Andreas on the halfway line. He curled an early ball in behind, which allowed Vinicius Jr to surge through on goal. Pickford did well to save his shot but Endrick put the rebound into the empty net.
England are convinced Vinicius Jr and/or Endrick were offside. Replays show they were both onside and the goal stands.
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GOAL! England 0-1 Brazil (Endrick 80)
The 17-year-old Endrick has scored his first goal for Brazil!
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79 min: Double substitution for Brazil Douglas Luiz and Savio, the Manchester City-bound teenager making his debut, come on for Raphinha and Bruno Guimaraes.
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77 min Mainoo has had plenty of touches already, just simple short passes in midfield. Rashford has his first touch, combining well with Foden before being challenged by Raphinha.
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75 min: Double substitution for England Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo, making his debut at the age of 18, come on for Anthony Gordon and Conor Gallagher.
Gordon will be pretty pleased with his debut, particularly some of his combinations in the final third.
74 min A lovely run from Bowen, who beats three players, including a nutmeg on Wendell, before Bruno Guimaraes gets across to dump him and the ball into touch. Legally, I should stress.
73 min Dunk dithers and is robbed by Raphinha, whose shot is then blocked, I think by Dunk.
72 min “The tone of that piece on Sven was like the third act of an Alexander Payne movie,” writes Niall Mullen. “ A sort of quiet sadness tinged with a believable amount of hope that arises after the circus passes. The semi-frozen lake with its absence of paparazzi was particularly poignant.
“I well remember the entorno that surrounded Sven and the golden generation of players. It seems grotesque really when juxtaposed with the uncomplaining dignity of a dying man looking back on his life. I guess the lesson, if there is one to be had, is that we should all resist becoming, even tangentially, part of the madness the next time it rolls around.”
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71 min: Brazil substitution Andreas Pereira and – oh yes – the 17-year-old Endrick come on for Lucas Paqueta, who was outstanding with the ball, and Rodrygo.
70 min Gallagher goes over in the area after a challenge from Lucas Beraldo. It wasn’t the best tackle, and he didn’t get the ball, but maybe there wasn’t enough contact for a penalty.
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68 min Gomez has gone to left-back. Bowen is on the right wing with Foden as the No10.
68 min “Seth Levine (at half time) is close, but not quite right,” argues David Wall. “The problem wasn’t squad numbers themselves, but when they came into club football. When they were something confined to national teams at tournaments squad numbers they were another of those things that made tournaments so much fun (like seeing unfamiliar teams and players, the on-screen graphics of the host country, the rituals of different groups of fans, three matches a day, etc). But when they came into club football they lost that novelty, and worse, were soon followed by names on shirts. And with names on shirts came increasing focus on the individual players rather than the team. And it’s downhill from there...”
67 min: Triple substitution for England Joe Gomez, Lewis Dunk and Jarrod Bowen replace Ben Chilwell, Harry Maguire and a frustrated Jude Bellingham.
64 min Gallagher’s cross from the right is headed back across goal and wide by Bellingham, who is now struggling with cramp. He was looking for Watkins rather than going for goal.
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63 min: Just wide from Paqueta! What a fantastic effort. Bruno Guimaraes collected a clearance 30 yards out and fizzed an early pass towards Paqueta on the right edge of the area. The ball came to him at pace, bouncing a little awkwardly, but Paqueta had the confidence and ability to sweep a first-time curler that flashed just wide of the far post. Pickford wouldn’t have saved it.
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62 min The second half has been a bit underwhelming so far.
61 min Bellingham tries to chip Bento from 35 yards but slices it well wide.
61 min “Completely disagree with people about not picking Chilwell or Gallagher,” says Claire McConnell. “Gallagher is the hardest working player I have ever watched and can electrify a team. And Chilwell is just coming back from injury and, if he has an injury free end to the season, will offer a great deal defensively, and has scored some key goals. What you are seeing today is a player working himself back into the game.”
59 min Stones shoots wide from distance after a good England move. Gordon played in the overlapping Chilwell, whose cutback towards Foden was intercepted. Bellingham pushed the loose ball back to Stones, who leathered it off target.
57 min Chilwell makes an important block from Raphinha’s shot, which came after good play from Bruno Guimaraes.
55 min Bellingham is getting frustrated by the stop-start nature of the game. It shouldn’t be an issue in the European Championship, where tactical fouling will be punished a lot more.
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54 min Rodrygo combines well with the underlapping Wendell, who finds Vinicius Jr on the left of the area. His first-time cross is a beauty – except there’s nobody in the middle because they had all pulled out to the left.
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51 min Belingham lies on his back in frustration after yet another foul, this time from Joao Gomes. Brazil have committed 15 fouls to England’s seven, six of them by Lucas Paqueta. Jogo bonito!
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50 min Paqueta (again) fouls Stones 35 yards from goal. Rice clips the free-kick beyond the far post, where Gordon arrives late to hit a half-volley that is pushed away by Bento.
49 min An England corner leads to a chance for Maguire, who mistimes his header and ends up shouldering the ball away from danger.
48 min “Never bought the idea that Southgate is overly cautious,” says Max Williams. “He dropped Rooney early on, went three at the back in the 2018 World Cup, started a teenage Bellingham in 2022. His backing of Maguire was more a case of prioritising a settled and successful international centre back partnership rather than picking the favourites. I’d be amazed if he starts Henderson in Germany – it’s between Mainoo and Gallagher, with the Chelsea man probably having the edge. Interested to know your thoughts (and selection).”
Will it not be Alexander-Arnold? He’ll probably mix and match depending on the opposition. It wouldn’t surprise me if Mainoo moves ahead of Gallagher before the tournament starts; he’s extraordinary.
46 min England get the second half under way. No half-time substitutions on either side.
Half-time chit-chat
“The Brazil keeper hasn’t been great under the crosses and corners so far. I’d have thought it would have been Bento’s box” – Bill Hargreaves.
“It’s possible I’m in a minority of one, but I believe the death of football began with the introduction of squad numbers. Fifteen minutes into this game, having felt an unusual sense of tactical insight, I realised both teams have something close to classical, starting position numbers on their back. And it’s glorious. Why would you ever do away with something that improves the watching experience for viewers who may not be able to recognise Brazil’s third-choice left back?” – Seth Levine.
“Absolutely disgusting behaviour, Bellingham trying to get players sent off! What a jerk! Ah, no. I don’t mean it. Obviously I don’t mean it. He’s a ridiculous footballer, and seems superhumanly grounded and mature for someone who’s started his career in that manner. I’m just looking for faults because, frankly, as a Welshman, I’m genuinely terrified he’s going to lead England to a tournament victory over the next decade or so. He’s that good” – Matt Dony.
“It may just be that I’ve had a couple of glasses of wine, but it seems to me that both teams are less concerned with What It All Means than they are with enjoying their football and entertaining the people who have come to watch. It might just catch on” – Tom Atkins.
“Bellingham yes (hell yes, of course yes). Gallagher, Chilwell no. In midfield, Madison is surely a far better choice than Gallagher (or the injured Alexander-Arnold). At left back (there are injuries of course) Trippier is better, and I’d love to have a look at Livramento there (yes, he is left-footed - but he’s played a lot at right back - and Walker is undroppable at the moment). Harry looks a bit vulnerable - Colwill or Branthwaite?” – Francis Mead.
“At times, England have looked like Brazil in disguise (John Stones’ surge and dribbling before being fouled, quelle surprise, by Paquetà). But Brazil have the capacity to scythe the England defence apart with Vinicius, Rodrygo and the unfathomable Paquetà. Been impressed by the debut of Gordon who has shown pace and skill but distinctly underwhelmed by Chilwell who looks out of his depth and has lost all coordination with his left foot. Entertaining friendly” – Colum Fordham.
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Half-time entertainment
There are some gems in this photo gallery, which is well worth a look.
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Half time: England 0-0 Brazil
Goalless at Wembley, but it hasn’t been dull. There have been good chances at both ends and a bit of needle too. Lucas Paqueta hit the post, Vinicius Jr had a shot cleared off the line by Kyle Walker, who then went off with a hamstring injury, and Raphinha missed a one-on-one.
The lively Ollie Watkins and Anthony Gordon went close for England, who were also a regular threat from set pieces.
45 min Two minutes of added time.
44 min Rice’s corner bounces across the six-yard box and is taken off Foden’s toe by Guimaraes. England have caused a lot of problems from set-pieces.
43 min Bellingham is fouled yet again, this time by Guimaraes. I don’t love the sight of him trying to get players sent off but you can understand why he’s so frustrated because Brazil are basically fouling him whenever he gets within 30 yards of goal.
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42 min: Chance for Raphinha! Maguire’s short backpass gives Raphinha a great opportunity, but he drags it just wide of the far post with his right foot. England have been a bit nervy in defence.
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41 min Gordon, who looks increasingly confident, cuts inside and tries another curling shot from distance. This one is on target and pushed away to his left by the diving Bento.
40 min Paquets fouls Bellingham, who tries unsuccessfully to get him sent off. It’s a friendly lads, come on. In a competitive game it would certainly have been a second yellow card though.
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39 min “I’ve got to say,” says Niall Mullen, “I am super impressed by Paqueta’s ability.”
He’s brilliant isn’t he, so stylish and imaginative. Great timing on his through passes as well. You can see why Pep Guardiola is interested in him.
37 min A deflected cross is touched off by Chilwell to Gordon, whose stinging shot from 15 yards deflects behind for a corner.
England work a neat corner routine but Foden screws a shot straight at Bento from 18 yards.
36 min Gareth Southgate will be slightly perturbed by how many chances Brazil have created in this first half.
35 min: Paqueta hits the post! Crikey, how did that stay out. Paqueta’s wild shot from distance turned into a brilliant pass for Wendell on the left side of the area. His shot was blocked by Konsa before Rodrygo collected the loose ball and laid it square to Paqueta, 12 yards out. He opened his body and sidefooted the ball off the outside of the left post. Pickford had already gambled the other way so anything on target would have gone in.
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34 min “I’ve got to say I am super impressed by Paqueta’s ability to complain about being called for a foul as he is committing a foul but even before the referee has called a foul,” says JR in Illinois. “It’s quite remarkable.”
Talking of which, he’s just been booked for fouling Stones.
33 min “Evening Rob,” says Kim Thonger. “If Lewis Dunk’s teammates have not already nicknamed him Slam, why on earth not? Talk about missing an open goal.”
You might even call it a slam dunk.
32 min Vinicius Jr has his first proper run at the debutant Konsa, who matches him for pace all the way into the area. Eventually Vinicius Jr slips over and the ball runs behind for a goalkick.
Helluva task to have on your debut, playing against Vinicius Jr.
31 min Watkins turns away from Bruno Guimaraes and finds Gordon on the left. He takes his time and then plays in the underlapping Watkins, whose first-time cross is well cut out at the near post.
Watkins looks the sharpest of the four England forwards.
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30 min “How does Bellingham look in this squad/set-up?” says Zach Neeley. “It’s unfair to expect him to come out for England at the same insane level his Madrid career has started. That said, time to either declare him the capstone to Southgate’s project or proof that Southgate doesn’t know what he’s doing and is wasting a golden generation.”
Arf. He’s been quiet so far tonight but was scarily good against Scotland last September.
28 min England’s latest corner is headed out towards the unmarked Chilwell on the edge of the area. He mistimes his shot into the ground and the ball spins a few yards wide of the post.
27 min Gordon’s curling shot from the edge of the area brushes Fabricio Bruno’s shoulder and goes behind for a corner.
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27 min Foden pokes the ball to Bellingham in the area, tries to move for the return and goes over. The referee isn’t interested.
Replays show Foden ran into Wendell, who knew nothing about it.
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26 min This is a good spell for England, their first bit of sustained possession. Gordon plays in the overlapping Chilwell, whose fast first-time cross is headed away.
24 min The corner is headed away to Chilwell, 25 yards out, and he bullets a volley into orbit.
24 min Chilwell floats the free-kick towards the far post, where Maguire’s header hits Danilo and goes behind for a corner.
23 min Gordon is fouled just outside the area, to the left of centre, by Paqueta. It looks slightly too wide for a shot.
23 min Foden swings a free-kick beyond the far post, where Rice pulls away into lots of space. He chests the ball down and sweeps a low cross that is beaten away by Bento.
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21 min “A tasty proposition to see Bento(s) enter the fray for Brazil,” says Matt Dony. “This level is different gravy. Can he keep a lid on his exuberance?”
The more I read this, the more confused I get. Have you inadvertently invented the Fray Bento Box?
20 min: England substitution Walker isn’t going to risk it. Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa comes on for his England debut, with Harry Maguire taking over as captain.
18 min: Chance for Watkins! All of a sudden, chances galore. Bellingham, near the byline on the left, flips a nonchalant pass to Gallagher on the edge of the area. He is pressed so lobs the ball over the defence, into the space. Watkins gets to the ball a fraction ahead of the defender but toebungs over the bar from about 12 yards. He had to take it very quickly, under pressure, but it was still a decent chance.
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17 min Paqueta bullies Foden off the ball 30 yards from goal and feeds the ball into Rodrygo, who opens his body and shoots wide. That was a very good chance.
16 min Walker comes back on. Vinicius Jr runs at him straight away, twisting to the left in the area. Walker leans on Vinicius and he goes down; it wasn’t enough for a penalty.
14 min Walker has a problem with his hamstring. You’d be surprised if he took any risks with so many big games ahead for Manchester City. England have Joe Gomez and Ezri Konsa on the bench.
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13 min Bellingham is booked for a poor tackle on Bruno Guimaraes. Kyle Walker is down as well.
12 min: Walker clears off the line! Paquets spins Gallagher deep in his own half and lifts a perfectly timed pass over the top. Vinicius Jr gallops through on goal, with Pickford unsure whether to come out or scamper back. Vinicius rolls the ball past Pickford, but he doesn’t connect properly and Walker has plenty of time to get back and clear off the line.
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10 min Vinicius Jr is having a little spell at centre-forward now, although it all seems very fluid.
9 min Rodrygo injects a bit of pace into the game, twisting away from Gallagher in midfield, moving to the edge of the D and cracking a low left-foot shot that is comfortably held to his left by the diving Pickford.
7 min “Never mind the cross, where’s the canarinho shirts?” thunders Gary Naylor. “I’d want my money back! What do Rishi and Sir Keir think?”
It’s Sir Tim Berners-Lee I’m more worried about. All those noble intentions and he accidentally created this.
5 min England have made a confident start to the game, Gallagher especially. He runs 40 yards before being fouled by the sliding Paqueta.
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3 min Foden’s free-kick from the right beats everyone, including the diving Bento, and flashes not far wide of the far post.
2 min Brazil have started without a centre forward and almost a box midfield of Joao Gomes, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta and Rodrygo.
Craig Levein was right all along.
2 min England are wearing their new kit, the end.
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1 min Peep peep! Brazil, in blue, kick off from left to right as we watch. England have started with Gordon on the left and Foden on the right; I wondered whether they might swap given the likelihood of Saka starting on the right when the real quiz begins.
The players line up for a minute’s applause in memory of Terry Venables, a great coach who changed the way the world saw the England national team.
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“Endrick,” muses Charles Antaki. “well, at least it’s not Fred or Jo; leave aside the unfortunate echo of Baldrick and you have a name which might make it to the subs bench of classic 70s/80s Brazil teams. Wendell also, maybe. Even in the late 90s there were some decent names (Aldair, Cafu, Dida, Bebeto), stretching into early 2000s (Rivaldo, Kaká, Vampeta) then it fizzles out. So maybe it’s up to the players to be more entertaining than their names, but apparently this lot aren’t even very good on that score…”
The players line up for the national anthems. Before the game starts, why not have a trip down memory lane with two of Britain and Ireland’s finest football writers?
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The Brazil bench includes 17-year-old Palmeiras star Endrick, who will join Real Madrid when he becomes a man in July. Their policy of buying the next generation of galacticos is such an interesting development.
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“For all that the ludicrous, culture-war baiting, shirt controversy is depressing,” begins Niall Mullen, “this story about Sven managing Liverpool showed that football still has a bit of sentimentality and sweetness in there somewhere. Obviously bittersweet but still lovely.”
Watch the Channel 4 feature below. I can’t find the right phrase to describe why it’s so good, but it is.
“Good evening Rob,” writes Krishnamoorthy V. “It’s a great dilemma isn’t it? You win and it is likely to be discounted as a win against a depleted side. ose or draw, then it shall be ‘if you can’t beat THIS Brazilian side, what hopes can you possibly have?’”
That works both ways though, no? England are missing four or five of their best XI. I think this game could be lots of fun.
This is a very inexperienced Brazil side, with five debutants – including Wolves’ Joao Gomes, the goalkeeper Bento and the 20-year-old centre-back Lucas Beraldo of Paris Saint-Germain. It’s Brazil’s first game under Dorival Jr, who took over when Fernando Diniz was sacked after three straight defeats in World Cup qualifying.
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There will be an air of sadness at Wembley tonight. This is England’s first game since the death of Terry Venables and the announcement that Sven-Goran Eriksson has terminal cancer. As I type Channel 4 are showing an interview with Eriksson at his house in Sweden; it’s moving, of course it is, but it’s also charming, funny and remarkably dignified. I’d urge you to watch it.
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Read David Hytner’s preview
Gareth Southgate’s pre-match interview
They’re different players [Watkins and Kane], so we have to have an appreciation of the way Ollie plays and not ask him to do the same things Harry does.
We want [Anthony Gordon] to do what he’s done for his club all season. He doesn’t need to do anything different to that. He’s been exciting with the ball, he scores goals, he works hard. I have to say he’s trained really well all week; he looks like he’s been with us forever. I think he’ll play really well tonight.
[How hard has it been to keep the noise about the kit and your future out] We’re used to it! All we ever get is noise. We’re used to it, don’t worry. You have so much to focus on with these international weeks, working from 6am to midnight. You don’t have time for the other bits.
For me the most important thing on the England shirt is the Three Lions. At times we’ve had the St George’s flag on the kit, at times we haven’t. In my head you can’t change the St George’s flag – it’s white with a red cross, so anything else is artistic or whatever. It’s been a long way from my vein of concentration.
Team news: Gordon and Watkins start
As expected, Anthony Gordon makes his international debut. Ollie Watkins starts up front in the absence of Harry Kane, and Kyle Walker captains the team.
England (4-2-3-1) Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Rice, Gallagher; Foden, Bellingham, Gordon, Watkins.
Substitutes: Bowen, Branthwaite, Dunk, Gomez, Johnstone, Konsa, Maddison, Mainoo, Ramsdale, Rashford, Toney.
Brazil (possible 4-2-3-1) Bento; Danilo, Fabricio Bruno, Lucas Beraldo, Wendell; Joao Gomes, Bruno Guimaraes; Raphinha, Paqueta, Vinicius Jr; Rodrygo.
Subs: Rafael Monteiro, Leo Jardim, Murilo, Bremer, Richarlison, Yan Couto, Pepe, Andre Trindade, Douglas Luiz, Andreas Pereira, Savio, Endrick, Galeno, Ayrton Lucas, Pablo Maia.
Referee Artur Soares Dias (Portugal)
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Preamble
For the first time in living memory, England go into a match against Brazil as equals, arguably superiors. The Fifa rankings have England in third, two places above Brazil. It’s not that long since England players were likely to go a big, rubbery one at the sight of that famous yellow shirt, but it will be a surprise if they are awestruck tonight.
A lot has changed since these teams last met – a 0-0 draw in 2017 when England were still finding their way under Gareth Southgate. Back then England were below Peru, Chile, Poland and others in the Fifa rankings. Now the only teams above them are Argentina and France. For those who grew up when England had one of the worst talk:walk ratios in international football, it’s all a bit confusing.
Tonight’s match is the beginning of England’s build up to Euro 2024, a tournament they have a realistic chance of winning. Belgium also come to Wembley on Tuesday. England’s injury crisis has drained a bit of the excitement from two high-profile fixtures, although there is an upside of sorts. The absence of players like Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Trent Alexander-Arnold gives others the chance to push for a place in the squad, maybe even the first XI. We’ll have team news shortly.
Kick off 7pm.
